The Deadliest Virus on Earth

It has been suggested that the vampire myth originated from people infected with rabies. Since rabies causes light hypersensitivity, hydrophobia, aggression, and occasional biting, it fits the narrative of a typical vampire who goes out at night, is scared of holy water, and sometimes bites people. It’s interesting to think about anyway!

Lyssa is basically running the optimal Pandemic/Plague Inc. strategy. Super stealthy until the target is fully infected, then rapidly turn extremely lethal

Two months ago, I thought I was going to die from rabies. I was on vacation in Morocco and attempted to pet a dog on the beach. It bit me and ran off. "Oh, that guy is angry, lol." - I thought. I had never heard that rabies was fatal, so I just ignored the subject, returned to my home country, and resumed my normal life. Ten days later, I was on my way to work and began to feel an itchy sensation in the area of the bite, accompanied by a strange headache. I searched for my symptoms online and discovered that rabies could be the cause. I then researched rabies further and watched a video that explained everything. That marked the beginning of the worst ten days of my life. Then, I immediately sought medical assistance. I went to the ER and described my symptoms. The doctors were concerned, as rabies rates in Morocco are high. Unfortunately, the rabies vaccine was only available at one hospital in the entire city, so I had to wait an entire day to receive it. That night, I didn't sleep, work, or eat I went to get my vaccine, fully aware that if rabies was the cause of my symptoms, it might be too late. The doctor who administered the vaccine appeared worried as well, though she tried to hide it. I received two doses of the vaccine and immunoglobulin to boost my immune system. Now, it was a matter of waiting. Unfortunately, my symptoms worsened. I started to feel dizzy and very anxious, both symptoms of rabies. However, I also experienced panic attacks. So I wasn't sure if I had rabies or if I was just having a panic attack. I was terrified, so I created my will online. I recorded a video for my mom, my girlfriend, and my two best friends, explaining why I thought I was going to die and wish them the best. The next day, I developed a fever (which I later learned was also a side effect of the vaccine). I couldn't help but cry. I wasn't afraid of dying; I was afraid of dying from rabies. The following day, I visited a rabies specialist in my city and described my symptoms. He assured me, "You don't have rabies. Go home and live your life." Of course, there was no way to verify his claim. Apparently, there's no such thing as a reliable rabies test. You can receive false negatives until you are literally in the ER being resuscitated. Luckily, rabies kills quickly, so I just had to endure ten days of agony. If I wasn't dead in ten days, I would be rabies-free. That's exactly what happened. I received my additional doses and now I am fine. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. It's mentally and psychologically exhausting. Even now, watching videos related to rabies makes me feel uncomfortable. It took me weeks to return to a normal sleep schedule and social life. Please, if you get bitten, seek vaccination immediately.

"Your immune cells will see these parts in the window and order the infected cell to kill itself" had me dying

When I was 19, an erratic bat that crashed with almost every object around entered in my house, and when I tried to grab the creature to throw it back outside, it bit me. My mother was highly concerned about what just happened, she seemed almost hysteric and I of course thought she was overreacting. She took me to a clinic that same night and made me take the anti-rabies vaccine, the first shot of many that I had to take in order complete the treatment. Reading afterwards about the awful and agonizing death that rabies patients suffer when they are left unattended, I am very grateful to my mother for her urgency and don't wanna think too much about what would have happened if she hadn't been around to act so quickly and decidedly. Most probably I would have forgotten about the bite the next day and would have died in the next few months. She saved my life.

Im a biologist and I’m always fascinated how you manage to explain complex mechanisms in an easily understandable manner. Great job once again!

My cousin-in-law died from rabies. It was an horrible sight. He lived in a rural communitu far away from the Tropical Medicine Foundation, so it was too late for him to be vaccinated. He got there already symptomatic. Died furious and suffering, trying to bite my mother-in-law, afraid of water, foaming in the mouth.

A cell: *got infected* Immune system: you should sacrifice yourself, NOW!

I remember reading that one of the most-affected parts of the brain by rabies is actually the amygdala, which controls a person's fear response. It essentially gets permanently switched on, so not only are you in agony as your brain expands and your muscles spasm uncontrollably, but you are trapped in a permanent state of terror where everything and everyone seems like a threat to you.

Fun fact: opossums usually don't get rabies, because their body temperature is too low for the virus to survive in them. They're literally too cool for rabies!

You're tearing me apart Lyssa!

You do not need to be bitten to contract rabies from a rabid animal. My wife knew a woman who had a small cut on her leg and she died from rabies after a dog simply licked the cut on her leg. By the time they figured out she was sick and taken to a hospital, it was way too late.

i swear to god the microscopic world of the immune system is the most involved and elaborate RTS game in existence its actually insane.

I'm a doctor and I remember a case of a little girl who died of Rabies after being bitten by her pet dog while grooming it. It was so sad because we watched her die and couldn't do anything about it. The Lyssa virus is really deadly. Go to the hospital immediately after being bitten by any animal to get vaccinated against Rabies and tetanus.

Killer-T: I’ve come to save the day! Rabies: Kys Killer-T: Emotional Damage

"Simple, Lyssa with its 5 proteins plays an UNO reverse card" Excuse me what the frick

It's actually pretty scary how good nature can be at killing us. Gives us a good perspective of how fragile we are.

As someone who has been saved by the post-exposure vaccine for rabies, I can barely explain how thankful I am for this invention! It is really unpleasant, yes, but not getting that treatment after being bit by a rabid animal will result in one of the most horrible deaths known to mankind, therefore praise the science!

Got bitten by a possibly rabied cat a day before my birthday. Got a vaccine for rabies within 24 hours, and then had two other doses in day 3 and day 7. within that week, i found out from witnesses that the cat died after the bite and i thought to myself, damn. a month in and had another does. docs told me to go back 7 months after that

I never had lyssa, but I did have encephalitis when I was young, my neurologist is pretty sure that's why I have brain damage now. I got it from a mosquito bite. Pretty scary stuff, I'm happy to be alive, but it definitely puts stuff in perspective and makes you realize how lucky we are to have access to medicine and hospitals